Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour put in an impressive performance as the Blues secured their passage to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win against Luton Town yesterday.
The 19-year-old dictated play from the middle of the park with his precise, crisp passing and was always in the right areas to receive the ball and start attacks. He also played a part in Tammy Abraham’s third goal. However, after the game, when asked whether the Scot could be loaned out, manager Frank Lampard said he was still open to the possibility:
“At the moment, he won’t go on loan but we will keep it open until the end of the month.”
Unsurprisingly, when fans on Twitter saw those comments about Gilmour, they were not particularly pleased:
What a ridiculous decision if we do send him out on loan
— john smithwick (@johnnymodric) January 24, 2021
Why on earth would we loan him? He should be playing
— cfc100 (@cfc1006) January 24, 2021
From a manager who keeps rudi & AC to loan Tomori not surprised
— We All Shine ? (@Franktheyrm) January 24, 2021
Kante-Gilmour-Mount should be the midfield trio for the upcoming matches.
— Timir Shahriar (@daredevilcfc) January 24, 2021
Frank will put Jorginho there watch lol
— Logan Whitson#VOTE @Hoosdatdude #VOTE (@Ant41JJettas18) January 24, 2021
Nailed on starter for me. He brings an energy and forward thinking play that Kova and Jorginho just don’t. Too often the transition is slow and patient but with Billy he always head up, move the ball, get forward! We need that desperately right now.
— Dean Drury ? (@deanodrury_) January 24, 2021
You would think he would have got it by now
— Tak3.A.Kn33 (@kn33_a) January 24, 2021
How can he countenance sending billy out? We actually had a midfield today!
— Ed Stratton (@EdStratton1) January 24, 2021
He singlehandedly increased the speed and urgency of passing. I don't care how he does in training…if he plays like this on the pitch, he needs to play.
— Eldridge Coutinho (@eggsEndbacon) January 24, 2021
It’s not even a decision you need to think about. He starts. Period.
— TheScore (@TheScore01) January 24, 2021
Lampard’s treatment of Gilmour since he returned from injury in November has been rather odd. Despite performing well when given a chance, the midfielder has not started a Premier League game this season.
After yesterday’s display, you would have thought the player would be in contention to start against Wolves on Wednesday evening but that doesn’t seem likely.
